Ascertain Law, Ethics Codes and Policy: What federal/state laws, codes of ethics (ACA and AAPC) and institutional policy (if applicable) apply to the situation?
COMAR 10.58.03.05 B.1.a, "A counselor shall avoid dual relationships with clients." (sd)
COMAR 10.58.03.05 B.1.b, "A counselor shall take appropriate measures, including but not limited to, informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation to ensure that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs if a dual relationship cannot be avoided." (sd)
ACA A.5.c, "Counselor-client nonprofessional relationships with clients ... should be avoided, except when the interaction is potentially beneficial to the client." (sd)
ACA A.5.d, "When a counselor-client nonprofessional interaction with a client or former client may be potentially beneficial to the client ... the counselor must document in case records, prior to the interaction (when feasible), the rationale for such an interaction, the potential benefit, and anticipated consequences for the client ... and other individuals significantly involved with the client .... Such interactions should be initiated with appropriate client consent. Where unintentional harm occurs to the client ... or to an individual significantly involved with the client ... due to the nonprofessional interaction, the counselor must show evidence of an attempt to remedy such harm. Examples of potentially beneficial interactions include ... mutual membership in a professional association, organization, or community." (sd)
APA III.E, "We avoid those dual or multiple relationships with clients which could impair our professional judgment, compromise the integrity of the treatment, and/or use the relationship for our own gain. A multiple relationship occurs when a pastoral counselor is in a professional role with a person and 1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, 2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated iwth or related to the person with whom the pastoral counselor hast he professional relationship .... In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, particularly within congregations ... we take reasonable steps to protect the clients and are responsible for setting clear and appropriate boundaries." (sd)
COMAR 10.58.03.05 B.1.a, "A counselor shall avoid dual relationships with clients." (sd)
COMAR 10.58.03.05 B.1.b, "A counselor shall take appropriate measures, including but not limited to, informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation to ensure that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs if a dual relationship cannot be avoided." (sd)
ACA A.5.c, "Counselor-client nonprofessional relationships with clients ... should be avoided, except when the interaction is potentially beneficial to the client." (sd)
ACA A.5.d, "When a counselor-client nonprofessional interaction with a client or former client may be potentially beneficial to the client ... the counselor must document in case records, prior to the interaction (when feasible), the rationale for such an interaction, the potential benefit, and anticipated consequences for the client ... and other individuals significantly involved with the client .... Such interactions should be initiated with appropriate client consent. Where unintentional harm occurs to the client ... or to an individual significantly involved with the client ... due to the nonprofessional interaction, the counselor must show evidence of an attempt to remedy such harm. Examples of potentially beneficial interactions include ... mutual membership in a professional association, organization, or community." (sd)
APA III.E, "We avoid those dual or multiple relationships with clients which could impair our professional judgment, compromise the integrity of the treatment, and/or use the relationship for our own gain. A multiple relationship occurs when a pastoral counselor is in a professional role with a person and 1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, 2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated iwth or related to the person with whom the pastoral counselor hast he professional relationship .... In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, particularly within congregations ... we take reasonable steps to protect the clients and are responsible for setting clear and appropriate boundaries." (sd)